Swimming cap



Oct. 29, 1968 v P HANSEN I 3,407,408

SWIMMING CAP Filed Aug. 8, 1966 INVENTOR.

VILENA P. HANSEN TORNE S United States Patent 3,407,408 SWIMMING CAPVilena P. Hansen, 4701 W. Kellogg, Wichita, Kans. 67209 Filed Aug. 8,1966, Ser. No. 571,011 3 Claims. (Cl. 2-68) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aswimming cap having improved strength is provided having a perforatedbody formed of a plurality of layers of mesh-type material which arepositioned on top of each other in an off-set position so that theopenings therein are substantially reduced. Resistant, normally atopposed ear means are mounted on the exterior portion of the body andpositioned so as to be adjacent the wearers ears so that upon applyingexternal pressure to the ear means they conform to the wearers ears thusrestricting rapid movement of fluid into the ears. Reinforcing means aresecured to the outer periphery of the body to seal the outer peripheryof the body and conform to the wearers head, and strap means are securedto the body for placement under the wearers chin to hold the cap inplace. The resilient, normally at ear means are constructed so that whenno external pressure is applied thereto they assume a normally flatposition and thus allow the wearers hearing to be substantiallyunimpaired.

This invention relates to a protective covering, and, more particularly,to a protective cap for covering a persons head. Still, morespecifically, this invention relates to a mesh-type protective swimmingcap normally used to cover a females head to contain loose hairsthereabout.

Various types of swimming caps are known to the prior art which cover apersons head in a sealing relationship such as a conventional elasticrubber swimming cap. These prior art devices are substantiallynon-attractive, rather uncomfortable to wear due to the tight fittingand heat generated therein, frequently are dislodged during divingoperations, and hinder considerably the wearers abiilty to hear.

In accordance with the present invention, a new protective cap forcovering a persons head is provided having a mesh-type material forminga main body secured to an elastic strap for mounting purposes. Theprotective cap permits the free ow of air and water therethrough whileretaining loose hairs and the like therewithin.

In preferred spciic embodiments of the invention, a protective cap isprovided for swimmers to retain hairs adjacent the wearers head withouthindering ones ability to swim, dive, and hear. The protective cap has amain body constructed of a plurality of layers of nylon mesh materialjoined together by elastic strips about the outer peripheral edgethereof. A chin strap secured to the elastic strips operates to hold thecap on the wearers head. A protective patch or strips secured toopposite sides of the main body operates to cover the ear area of theuser to restrict fluid ow therethrough so as to protect ones eardrumfrom unhindered rapid fluid flow therein when external pressure isapplied to the protective patch or strips such as during divingoperations and the like.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new andnovel swimming cap overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages of theprior art devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide a protective cap having amesh-type main body held by an elastic chin strap on the wearers headand sealed thereto so as to freely permit the ow of fluid through themain body while preventing the movement of loose hairs therefrom.

3,407,408 Patented Oct. 29, 1968 Still, another object of this inventionis to provide a protective cap constructed of a plurality of layers ofmeshtype material having opposed ear patches operable to restrict themovement of fluid into the wearers ear portions.

One other object of this invention is to provide a protective cap thatis attractive in appearance, easy to use, economical to manufacture, andeffective for the intended purpose.

Still, one other object of this invention is to provide a protective caphaving a main body operable to achieve the normal function of a swimmingcap, namely to maintain loose hairs and the like adjacent the wearershead, while permitting freedom of movement and unrestricted hearingresembling one not being hindered by the wearing of a swimming cap.

Still, another one of the objects of this invention is to provide astrong protective covering constructed of a lightweight, non-corrosivedurable material forming a substantially permanent, economical tomanufacture, swimming cap.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdiscussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the protective cap of this inventionillustrated as mounted upon a persons head;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the protective cap of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of an ear covering ofthe protective cap of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view taken along lines 4 4 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along lines 5 5 ofFIG. 2.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specificembodiments of the new protective cap of this invention, such being madewith reference to drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals areused to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to beunderstood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limitthe scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIG. 1, theswimming cap of this invention, indicated generally at 12, isillustrated in its normal usage as a covering for the head of a femaleswimmer to retain loose hairs thereabout so `as to prevent clogging up aconventional pool filtering system.

As shown in FIG. 2, the protective cap 12 includes a main body 14secured about the outer peripheral edges -by reinforcing strips 15 andhaving a downward depending chin strap 17 for mounting lpurposes. Themain body 14 as illustrated, preferably has three layers 18, 20, and 22of a net or mesh-like material constructed of nylon or the like. Thelayers 18, 20, and 22 are mounted on top of each other in offsetpositions whereby the openings 24 in each layer are overlapped toachieve effective openings of a substantially one-third the size of eachindividual opening 24 and providing substantial increase in the strengthof main body 14. It is seen, therefore, that the multiple layerscooperate to restrict the opening sizes to retain a persons hairtherewithin while still permitting fluid such as water, air yand thelike to flow therethrough substantially without restriction. The sizeand positions of the openings 24 can be varied in a multiple of wayswhereas the mesh material achieves the appearance of a solid materialfrom a distance for esthetic value.

The main body 14 is shaped to conform to the shape of a humans head withthe peripheral edges to Ibe placed about the face and neck openingsbound together by the reinforcing strips 15. These strips 15 areoverlapped about the peripheral edges of the layers 18 and 20 and 22 andsecured thereto as by sewing as shown in FIG. 5. The reinforcing strips15 are constructed of a high strength material and maybe made of anelastic type if desired so las to readily conform to the shape of thepersons head. As shown in FIG. 2, the mesh material as used on the mainbody may be overlayed and shaped about the face opening in various waysto form a decorative design for appearance purposes.

As shown in FIG. 2, the chin strap 17 is preferably constructed of anelastic material and secured to the forward opposed edges of the strips15 to hold the protective cap 12 in place. A bow 27 is illustratedsecured to the chin strap; however, it is obvious that .any type ofdecorative attachment may be used or none as required and desired.

Mounted on the outer surface of the main body 14 are opposed pairs ofprotective ear coverings or patches 29 and 31 each having overlayedsegments 33 and 34 to form a cross pattern. The ear coverings 29 and 31are positioned so as to be over the openings into a persons ear andfunction to prevent the rapid inflow of fluid therethrough during divingoperations and the like. The overlayed segments 33 and 34 areillustrated of a banner design; however, to achieve the desired functionit is necessary to substantially cover the persons ears and manydecorative designs thereof may be used. The ear coverings 29 and 31should be constructed of a resilient, normally dat material that willnot permit fluid ow therethrough in order to achieve the desiredtemporary sealing function and material such as nylon, rubber and thelike may be used.

In the use and operation of the protective cap 12 of this invention, themain body 14 is readily mountable yabout a persons head and held thereonby the strap 17 placed lunder the persons chin (FIG. l). It is obviousthat the mesh layers 18, 20, and 22 cooperate to retain loose hairs andthe like therewithin while permitting the ilow of air and fluidtherethrough. Additionally, the resilient, substantially flat earcoverings 29 and 31 'are movable against the persons ears under pressuresuch as found in diving to restrict the inow of uid into the personseardrums `because the ear coverings 29 and 31 are moved against thewearers ears to substantially conform thereto. However, when no externalpressure is applied to ear coverings 29 and 31 they are caused, throughtheir resilient characteristics to withdraw from the wearers ears sothat the wearers hearing is substantially unimpaired.

It is obvious that many different types and designs of swimming caps ofthis invention may be used achieving the novel aforementioned functionand structure rising a mesh-like material having protective coverings toprevent damage to the users ears while permitting fluid flow and airflow through the greater portion thereof. The protective cap of thisinvention is extremely light in weight, economical to manufacture, andattractive in appearance.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description of the preferredembodiments of the Iapplicants protective cap, relative simple andinexpensive means has been provided which is readily attachable to apersons head so as to provide a protective cap covering operable toachieve all the necessary functions of a conventional swimming cap plusthe additional aforementioned advantages. Applicants construction solvesproblems involved in mounting -a swimming cap member, maintaining thecap member 4 upon a persons head, and providing a structure that isattractive in appearance and comfortable to wear.

While the invention has been described in connection with preferredspecic embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this descriptionis intended to illustrate yand not to limit the scope of the invention,which is dcned by the following claims.

1. 'A swimming cap adapted to cover a wearers head,

comprising:

(a) a perforated body formed of a plurality of reinforcing layers ofopen mesh-type material, said layers interacting to substantiallyincrease the strength of said body, said body being adapted to conformto the outer layer of the wearers head, and having neck and faceopenings, said layers of said body being mounted on top' of each otherwith the openings in each layer being off-set whereby the openings insaid body are substantially reduced thus retaining the Wearers hairtherein while still permitting iluid to ow therethrough substantiallywithout restriction;

(b) reinforcing means secured to the outer periphery of said body;

(c) strap means secured to said body adapted to fit under the wearerschin and hold said cap in place; and

(d) resilient, normally flat ear protective means secured over the outersurface of the opposed sides of said body for protecting the entranceinto the wearers ears from air, water, and the like by preventing rapidinflow of fluid therethrough whenever external pressure is applied tosaid protective means during diving operations and the like, whereby thewearers hearing is substantially unimpaired when no external pressure isapplied to said ear protective means and said ear protective means ismoved against the wearers ears to substantially conform thereto upon anapplication of said external pressure.

2. A swimming cap as described in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said reinforcing means and said strap means are yconstructed of anelastic material operable to seal the outer periphery of said body andconform to the wearers head, said reinforcing means 4and said strapmeans further functioning to maintain said swimming cap in place.

3. A swimming cap as described in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said protective means include crossed strips of impervious resilientmaterial secured to said body to prevent fluid ow through this portionof said body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,616,800 2/1927 Hogan 2-174 XR2,198,425 4/1940 Berg 132-49 2,367,459 l/ 1945 Corley 2-209 2,556,5766/1951 De Carolis 2-174 XR 3,274,612 9/1966 Merriamy 2-68 FOREIGNPATENTS 508,767 7/1939 Great Britain.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

H. H. HUNTER, Assistant Examiner.

